28 THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LEONARD WHEATCROFT. 



what hap'ned in our wooing, for you may find it at large in my 

 book of " Mirth and Melody " [see vol. xviii. 35, 40, etc.]. 



"In 1657 I was married, being May 20, by the Justis of 

 Peace — it was then Oliver's Law. We had a great wedding 

 for many dayes togather. I had above two hundred and twenty 

 messes to it, and in my Booke of accounts you may find what 

 meate and drinke I provided to your admiration. [Unfortunately 

 this book seems to be lost.] 



"In 1651 (I should have said before), I planted an Orchard 

 for Master Bourne. The year after, did my grandfather Harison 

 dye, 1652. 



"In 1657, I builded the parler and chamber over it, and in 

 1658, the shop : but before these, I builded my mother's buttry 

 and paved the house : then I went up to Lundon. And after my 

 retourne, I spent sum of my estate. Then did I let my house, 

 and went to live at Boulsover in 1654. There did I live for the 

 space of four years, in which time I planted one orchard for 

 Esquire Huchingson and another for . . . of Duckmanton. 

 I took there one malthouse and malted a great deale of barley ; 

 and there I had two children by my wife — John and David ; but 

 before I went to Boulsover, I had three children, Leonardus, 

 Anna, and Ester ; but as for the years and time that they were 

 borne, I shall speak of (that) hereafter and place them altogather 

 for memory's sake. 



" In the year 1666, that was while I lived at Boulsover, I 

 planted both Orchards at Overton Hall, made them their gardens, 

 and [planted the] close hedges, and set several Wall Trees, and 

 a codling hedge. 



" Sumtimes at my trade, and sumtimes in planting and re- 

 planting, I spent my foure years time at Boulsover, and withal 

 sixscore poiDid to y" Jumdred. 



"So being resolved to retourne to Ashoure againe, I came ouer 

 Jan. 4 1667, intending to take a house there, but could get none 

 according to my mind. Then at my retourne Justis Woolhous 

 dyed, upon whom I writ an Epitaffe which you may find in my 

 booke of verses amongst severall others [see Journal xviii. 76] , 



